(From left to right) The anaesthesiologist Dr Neoh Choo Aun from Pingtung Christian Hospital, (centre) Professor of Neurosurgery Dr Aij-Lie Kwan from Kaohsiung Medical University and (right) Professor of Urology Dr Chun-Hsiung
Huang pose for a photo shot

TEAM of Doctors from the International College of Surgeons in Taiwan have made known their willingness to support the Solomon Islands following a successful visit in the country recently.

A visit of four Professional Doctors from Taiwan’s College of Surgeons to the National Referral Hospital, Good Samaritan hospital and the Visale Community High School inspired them to voluntarily offer their expertise in the country.

The group was led by Professor of Urology Dr Chun- Hsiung Huang, Professor of Neurosurgery Dr Aij-Lie Kwan from the Kaohsiung Medical University, anaesthesiologist Dr Neoh Choo Aun from Pingtung Christian Hospital, and Dr William Winardi from EDa Hospital. The team’s visit was done on voluntary basis, and was arranged through ROC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and fully supported and facilitated by the ROC-Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands.

As part of its visit, the team held dialogue with Dr Tautai Agikimua Kaitu’u and relevant SIG officials to discuss the possibility to conduct humanitarian surgery in Solomon Islands.

The Third Secretary of Taiwan’s Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr David Chia-wei Li said the team’s visits to the NRH also enabled them to meet with CEO Dr Steven Aumanu and Medical Superintendent Dr Rooney Jagilly.

He said the outcome was the understanding between the NRH leaders and the visiting doctors on the hospital needs and the areas they have shown interest to implement humanitarian surgical works here.

Professor of Neurosurgery Dr. Aij-Lie Kwan, who is a world renowned female Neurosurgeon after the visits said she feels that through the support of her surgical team they can help locals perform more efficiently with the modern equipment NRH already has.

Dr Kwan also said the equipment donated by other countries can be better utilized with continued training of local staff, and through this communication, she is confident friendship between Solomon Islands and Taiwan will grow even stronger.

“Hands on for surgery are very important, especially to train a good surgeon that is why we are here to find out, not only help to do surgery, but the goal is to train different speciality surgeons in Solomon Island,” Dr Kwan said.

Meanwhile, the team has spent five days in Honiara, and have returned to Taiwan yesterday.